The Arabist

Minister of Culture Farouq Hosni fired?

Rumor is right now that Farouq Al Hosni, the painter turned Minister of Culture who is rumored to be a close friend and protege of Egypt's first lady Suzanne Mubarak, has resigned.

This comes in response to a barrage of assault on him after a fire in Beni Suef that killed more than 40 people last week. Intellectuals, artists and actors have waged a campaign against Hosni (one of many) since the fire took place, saying that he underfunded theaters, which led to safety budget cuts.